[lynrick]

I have an 80 series that does not track correctly on the open road. In the straight ahead position it seems to waiver and I am always correcting this. Don't get me wrong. It's not that serious! (Registration checks have never picked anything up.) Seems that other vehicles, form slight wheel ruts in our secondary roads and because of the LC's wide track it's either in a rut or out.
Is it normal for a LC to do this?
I'm thinking that I should replace some steering bushes and stuff.
Got no idea what though.
Seems to me that something in the front end may be worn and causing my cruiser to float just that little bit! I'm pretty fastidious about mechanicals. Also planning a big trip around Aus so want everything to be AOK!
My wife does not like driving the LC because of this steering float.
Not that I want her to drive it but sometimes on a long trip in Aus I need her to do a bit of the driving. I'd also like her to enjoy driving it, cause they are a brilliant vehicle.
Any suggestions would be appreciated.
This is my first thread so if I've done anything wrong, forgive me.

[beno]

Is your truck lifted at all?

Bigger than stock tyres/different style tyres?

(if you are lifted) Have you corrected for caster issues?

Do you find that your wheels seemingly find every rut and line in a rather smooth looking highway?

[lynrick]

Originally Posted by beno

Is your truck lifted at all?

Bigger than stock tyres/different style tyres?

(if you are lifted) Have you corrected for caster issues?

Do you find that your wheels seemingly find every rut and line in a rather smooth looking highway?

It has a slight lift. Approximately 50mm (2 inch), beefier springs with Bilstien shocks.
Only slightly higher than stock.
I've had steering alignment done when fitting new tyres. They havn't said anything about excessive height.
These improvements to the suspension were done before I bought the vehicle back in 02.
Yeah! Everything in the last line of your quote.

[lynrick]

Originally Posted by beno

Is your truck lifted at all?

Bigger than stock tyres/different style tyres?

(if you are lifted) Have you corrected for caster issues?

Do you find that your wheels seemingly find every rut and line in a rather smooth looking highway?

Sorry, only 60/40 road tyres.

[lynrick]

Originally Posted by lynrick

Sorry, only 60/40 road tyres.

Castor Kits
Tough Dog Castor Bush Kit

Application
Price

2 Degree Kit
$149.50
BUY
3 Degree Kit
$198
BUY

Found this stuff about castors but how do you know what number of degrees you need?

[Ebag333]

Originally Posted by lynrick

Found this stuff about castors but how do you know what number of degrees you need?

Take it to a shop and have it measured. Also have them balance your tires.


You can jack up each wheel and check for play to make sure you don't have worn bearings.

[Kalawang]

Check your Tie Rod Ends and Stabilizer Bushings.


Kalawang

[lynrick]

Originally Posted by Ebag333

Take it to a shop and have it measured. Also have them balance your tires.


You can jack up each wheel and check for play to make sure you don't have worn bearings.

Just had my birfs done so I know it's not the bearings.
Are there bushes in the front steering bits which are prone to sloppiness over time?
Thanks

[lynrick]

Originally Posted by Kalawang

Check your Tie Rod Ends and Stabilizer Bushings.


Kalawang

Will do.
Should'nt be any play in them. Right?

[Ebag333]

Originally Posted by lynrick

Just had my birfs done so I know it's not the bearings.
Are there bushes in the front steering bits which are prone to sloppiness over time?
Thanks

If your bearing preload wasn't set right (or something has backed off), then that could be causing it.

Double check for play in the tire. It'll only take a couple minutes to see, and it's an easy test.

FAQ post for reference:
IH8MUD Forums - View Single Post - Front Axle Rebuild - For FAQ

[lynrick]

Originally Posted by Ebag333

If your bearing preload wasn't set right (or something has backed off), then that could be causing it.

Double check for play in the tire. It'll only take a couple minutes to see, and it's an easy test.

FAQ post for reference:
IH8MUD Forums - View Single Post - Front Axle Rebuild - For FAQ

Thanks. Yeah this was checked last Friday by a mechanic doing a registration check. We have to take our vehicles to an authorised inspection station every year in Aus. They go over the whole car mechanicals and particularly the front end, checking for freeplay in all the components.

Have checked out the front axle rebuild in the past. Was thinking about attempting it myself but decided that discretion was the better part of valour. I chickened out and had it professionally done! Very expensive!

[peepers]

Originally Posted by lynrick

Thanks. Yeah this was checked last Friday by a mechanic doing a registration check. We have to take our vehicles to an authorised inspection station every year in Aus. They go over the whole car mechanicals and particularly the front end, checking for freeplay in all the components.

Have checked out the front axle rebuild in the past. Was thinking about attempting it myself but decided that discretion was the better part of valour. I chickened out and had it professionally done! Very expensive!

if there is no free play in the front end at all, then you are left with the tires and the castor to correct. as suggested by your mate, get the castor measured and then the appropriate bushings to correct it.

if i were you i would still check for any play in the front end myself. here is a step by step guide on how to do so with pictures. really, until you do this, you are shooting in the dark: http://forum.ih8mud.com/80-series-te...ation-faq.html

[Ebag333]

Originally Posted by lynrick

Found this stuff about castors but how do you know what number of degrees you need?

Originally Posted by Ebag333

Take it to a shop and have it measured.

Originally Posted by peepers

as suggested by your mate, get the castor measured and then the appropriate bushings to correct it.

I'm his mate?


Sweet!

[Kalawang]

Originally Posted by lynrick

Will do.
Should'nt be any play in them. Right?

The only way I know to check the TRE is to dismount it and try to move it by hand. If it moves, change it. The stabilizer bushings are more likely to cause a bit of bounce than wander and can be eyeballed. Just look to see if space has developed. They are cheap and easy to change.

I'm reasonably confident that your problem is in the TRE's as they have the most dramatic effect on steering and handling when they are busted.


Kalawang

[lynrick]

Originally Posted by peepers

if there is no free play in the front end at all, then you are left with the tires and the castor to correct. as suggested by your mate, get the castor measured and then the appropriate bushings to correct it.

if i were you i would still check for any play in the front end myself. here is a step by step guide on how to do so with pictures. really, until you do this, you are shooting in the dark: http://forum.ih8mud.com/80-series-te...ation-faq.html

Thanks for all the advise and link to that article, peepers.
And a special thanks to my new "mate".

I'm sure I'll get to the bottom of this!

[lynrick]

Originally Posted by Kalawang

The only way I know to check the TRE is to dismount it and try to move it by hand. If it moves, change it. The stabilizer bushings are more likely to cause a bit of bounce than wander and can be eyeballed. Just look to see if space has developed. They are cheap and easy to change.

I'm reasonably confident that your problem is in the TRE's as they have the most dramatic effect on steering and handling when they are busted.


Kalawang

I think you are right about the TRE's. I'll do the full check as suggested earlier. Got to find something!

Thanks for your advise.

[peepers]

we are all mates as far as i am concerned

[landtoy80]

lynrick's problem is the same as mine.
I was just going to post the same problem but lynrick worded it better.

I have the same lift as he does. I don't have caster adjustment but I have lived with it for a year. So thats not the only problem.

I don't notice the problem in town. Its REAL BAD at 80mph. I have to bump steer to keep in control as the road turns. It seams to be getting worse. I am glad today is the last day of my 150 mi/day commute as I don't think I would drive it tomorrow with this problem.

There is the "steering adjustment" for play in the steering wheel on the steering box.
Could excessive play cause wandering? If not, what problems are there with too much play?


My tie rods are 5 yrs old have 100,000 mi on them.
I too don't know what to look for with worn tie rod ends. I can turn the tie rod in my hand (like a throttle on a motorcycle) but there is no back and forth movement. I don't feel any slop.

[landtoy80]

There is the "steering adjustment" for play in the steering wheel on the steering box.
Could excessive play cause wandering? If not, what problems are there with too much play?

Anyone know what the steering adjustment on the steering box does other than adjust play in the steering wheel?

[Nay]

Low caster will "show up" as something gets worn or another spec gets slightly out of alignment. Have you had toe alignment checked?

[jamisobe]

Trucks with bigger than stock tires often need more toe in than stock. You might also try to adjust your tie rod to add a little more toe in beyond stock specs. This can make a big difference in handling and steering.